This book grew out of an actual experience developing and implementing a problem-solving process, using the Paulo Freire approach, for teaching English as a second language (ESL) adult students. This process implies a serious and long-term commitment to developing critical thinking skills. The first part of the book discusses who the students are, including their language and cultural problems; social and economic problems of ESL students; and the "American Way" of life. It also covers the problem-solving teaching approach, a number of teaching techniques, and indications of ways the situation method can be adapted to a realistic problem-solving approach. The second part of the book presents student units, with an introductory essay on writing a new curriculum. The units are on the following topics: (1) autobiography, (2) the family, (3) culture and conflict, (4) neighborhoods, (5) immigration, (6) health, (7) work, and (8) money. The text concludes with an essay on immigration policies and statistics, and a listing of resources. (AMH)